Elections B.C. has cleared 琉璃神社-West MLA Ben Stewart of any wrongdoing related to an irregular political donation made to the B.C. Liberal Party.

Stewart wrote to Chief Electoral Officer Anton Boegman on Aug. 1 to advise him of the issue and voluntarily left the B.C. Liberal caucus while the issue was investigated.

At issue was a political contribution to the BC Liberal Party that was reimbursed to the contributor by the party.

READ MORE: 琉璃神社-West MLA Ben Stewart steps back from B.C. Liberals caucus

鈥淭he review found no evidence that the political contribution and reimbursement were made in contravention of the Election Act. Elections BC now considers this matter closed,鈥� said the independent election agency in a statement today.

B.C. Liberal party leader Andrew Wilkinson said that the decision today is a positive one for the party.

鈥淲e are happy to welcome Ben Stewart back to the B.C. Liberal Caucus. We thank him for taking the appropriate actions to ensure full cooperation with Elections BC.鈥�

Despite the length of time it took to complete the investigation, Stewart said that he鈥檚 happy with the outcome.

鈥淚鈥檓 very thrilled that after an extensive view by them, there was no violation under the B.C. Commission Act鈥�, he said.

connor.trembley@kelownacapnews.com
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